How to Build Credibility Online
by Craig Lock
I find this a most interesting and somewhat complex subject, as there has tobe TRUST in any business relationship before any exchange ismade. This can be quite difficult to achieve, when you have nevermet your customer (prospect) face to face in another part of thecountry...or even the world. Having been on the www over fiveyears, here are a few pointers that we find helpful in the onlinesales process:
1. Have your OWN DOMAIN NAME (not expensive - less than $20 ayear from 000Domains.com We have five of them at: www.craiglock.com www.craiglockbooks.com www.nzenterprise.com www.novelty-gift.com and www.bridgeniche.com
2. Offer GUARANTEES (money-back) on your products or services N.B:
3. Emphasise transaction SECURITY in the form of a secure paymentsystem and a secure server.
4. OFFER TESTIMONIALS
5. Have a PRIVACY POLICY for your online business. Offer aPrivacy Statement
6. Have CONTACT INFO on your web site. People then know to gethold of you, if they want further info... or if there is aproblem (they do occur from time to time, but a problem is onlyan opportunity in disguise!).
7. Offer a BRIEF BIO - a little bit about yourself and how youare qualified to offer your product or service. This builds trustin your abilities.
8. Have a FEEDBACK FORM on your web site for visitors commentsabout possible improvements... and finally and most importantly,
9. BE YOURSELF, YET BE PROFESSIONAL IN YOUR WRITING (on your website). Just be YOU, when writing script on your website or inyour ezine articles . Ensure the information is accurate - writewith absolute integrity and honesty. Also suggest using a bit ofHUMOUR in your writing. I try to use a "dollop", as I believereading a computer screen is not a very exciting pastime (exceptto "geeks"). It's also a sedentary (big word) activity; so theleast I can do for our site visitors, as a reward, is attemptinginforming and trying to entertain at the same time with doses ofmy "rather strange/wacky/ zany" humour. Hopefully it works!
10. Use proper grammar and punctuation (with the right "case")and avoid misspelling. This makes you appear to be"professional"- in your writing and in your "appearance"... andimage is EVERYTHING on the www. 11. Avoid using slang. Remember,the Internet is global and your "funny language" might offendother cultures. For example, I've learnt to avoid using the word"Yank"!
12 Send all marketing email to yourself first as a test. Checkthe layout, spelling and grammar...to see how it looks in yourprospective client's eyes - ie. on THEIR computers.
13. Think before you re-act to an abusive message. "Strike inhaste and repent in leisure (I've done that a few times - notthat I get many negative messages!). My advice...leave themessage in your "in-box" for a day. Then look at it after youhave calmed down...and decide whether it is worthy of a response- will it change anything? Perhaps the sender is just having adisasterous day and after deliberation, you can send a word ofkindly encouragement in your "carefully composed" reply. (Thesubconscious mind will help you in this). 14. Really CARE aboutpeople. We all have frailties and are vulnerable at times. Moretimes than at others. We can get all what WE want in life throughhelping other people get what THEY want (thanks Zig Zigler)...
and finally,
15. "GIVE AND THOU SHALT RECEIVE." GIVE FREE INFORMATION ... ANDYOU WILL SURELY RECEIVE FAR MORE IN RETURN. (Everybody has uniqueknowledge and expertise in certain areas - specialised skills,which can help others through SHARING). This is the basis of "theGolden Rule", the Law of Giving, which is the basis of all thereligions of the world (I think!).
Become a "busy internet marketing bee" in building your onlinecredibility.
Follow all these steps and people then will be attracted to yourweb site (and regular TRAFFIC is THE BASIS/KEY FOR/TO SALES),like bees to a honey-pot (that's a simile, by the way!).
Here's to finding your "pot of gold" at the end of the internetmarketing "rainbow".*Craig Lock
http://www.bridgeniche.com *that's a metaphor, BTW
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
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